Pages

Thursday, December 29, 2016

It is that time of year again where we contemplate, look back, and look forward. Last year my word of the year was Commit. I can honestly say that things happened that made me commit. I had to hit bottom to make those final decisions of commitment. I still have areas I could work on but I did commit to home educating our children and being consistent with it. Due to my health I sometimes would not be consistent. Which leads me to another commitment I made and that was to invest in my health once and for all. I have committed to exercise and I am working on eating better. I have reduced a lot of things and overall lost 32 pounds this year. That was a bonus.

Overall I feel I committed to some important things such as trying to grow in the Lord, letting go of
issues that were clinging to me, and commitment to my health and education of my kids. I also made sure not to over commit outside the home so I could be committed to things that were vitally important. I committed to read more and I surpassed my goals.

Where I did not commit completely was in our finances (ugh) and of course I could always commit more to prayer and word (these are a daily but I can always go deeper).

I will take this word with me and these commitments with me into 2017 and hopefully add more and commit more to our finances, health, and spiritual growth of myself and my family.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

I have a little more time to blog because we are taking a break from schooling and so I am trying to post things I want posted before the year ends. Here are some highlights of our November.

We went to a Petrified Forest and Geology Museum and it was wonderful. We learned a lot and had such a wonderful time with a picnic at the end.

We also visited the Mississippi Crafts Guild Museum. The kids got to experience metal work, felt making, and stain glass work. This was a top favorite trip.

We visited my mom for Thanksgiving and it was a TREAT. We haven't been able to go in a few years. We celebrated, shopped, and ate.

The kids had their Homeschool Thanksgiving Party with their homeschool group and it was so nice. They loved it.

We had a very nice November. School went well and we had lots of outside learning experiences. A few other things we did were a Indian Festival and went to see a portion of Nutcracker Ballet. Lots of park days, and picnics happened. We read the My Side of the Mountain as our read aloud and it was good. It was such a good month and we loved all our experiences.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Hannah turned 12 on December 6th. I am behind with blogging but I wanted to document this special day here for my records. I love this little young lady. She is a wonderful daughter. Sweet, giving, and headstrong (in a good way) and has determination no matter what comes her way.

We had a pottery making party and then a slumber party at Holiday Inn Express (my husband had a free night due to work travels) and we had a blast swimming and playing games. Candy and cupcakes.

She was blessed with lots of art stuff (her favorite thing) and socks and goodies. She had a wonderful day. I thank the Lord for her daily!!!

Sunday, December 25, 2016

We have had a wonderful Holiday Season. From Thanksgiving, Hannah's 12th Birthday, Christmas Books, fellowships, Candlelight service, personal communion led by my husband, celebrating Jesus birthday, family traditions, and enjoying the gift giving season we are truly blessed.

We read some wonderful Christmas books this season as a family. I personally read The Greatest Gift (Advent Devotion) by Ann Voskamp. For a few fun reads I read Christmas Mail Order Brides, sounds weird but it was "Christian friendly" love stories set in the pioneer days. I also read Snowflake Sweethearts by Carrie Turansky. It was a sweet read. I read snippets of The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs. I had too many books going on at once so this kind of went on the backside. But I will make it a priority next Christmas.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Hello everyone!!! I have missed this little spot on the web. I am obviously not good at keeping this blog up and running. For years (10 to be exact) before I had this blog I had another one and I was faithful and regular. I loved it. I love blogging, writing, and catching up with others. I have made life long friends and pen pals. I have had support when I wasn't sure I would, prayers that covered me and so on. Blogging is amazing. But time is so limited. It takes a lot to blog. Pictures, topics, downloading, and etc.

On a lighter note....I can't believe December is here. It is crazy. I can't believe 2017 is almost here. Just seems like I wrote a post about my thoughts on the new year and my one word focus for 2016 a few months ago. Now I am already pondering about next year.

I planned to keep December simple, Christ-Centered, and SLOW and I have achieved as much as I can during this time of year. I have decided that if I really wanted to scale back, say no, and not over eat and over spend I need to lock myself up somewhere....HAHAHA!!! Humor there!!! I am kidding. Maybe!

I scaled back on décor this year but it is still so pretty, did all our Christmas cards at the end of November, I took our own photo to put inside and that saved a lot of money, and went through the calendar and only chose parties and events we wanted to make sure we attended. We have said no to several things and that is okay. We are still having a very filling and busy season already. I can't believe how many years I spent running myself crazy trying to attend everything.

I asked the kids to choose their top thing they wanted to make sure they got to experience in the season and that has helped cut back on other things that maybe was more my forcing then them really liking. :)

I hope you are all well!!! Just wanted to pop by and say hello and hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.

Welcome to Keeping Home! A Little Space to Journal Our Days!

Our Blessings!

Laine's Letters...HOPE for the Homemaker!!!

In 2007 when I began my journey of studying the role of Proverbs 31 I came across the best thing that has helped me as a young mom learning her role as a Wife, Mom, and Homemaker. All these years later I cling to the words of Laine. She no longer writes (that I know of) but her archives of her letters, "In the Home" help, and recipes are located here. Please visit this if you are in need of help, hope, and direction for your role in the home.
Laine's Letters!